Photography Credit: Dave Green
Sixty years ago, Daytona hosted its first major endurance race for sports cars. Known then as the Daytona Continental, the race was only a three-hour-long contest. In 1966, the race’s length would be increased to its current 24 hours.
Fast forward to today, and there are 61 cars ready to take to the World Center of Racing for 24 hours straight from the drop of the green flag on Saturday, January 29, to the checkered flag the following day.
Below we've laid out a full schedule of events, plus a guide to every class of car appearing on track.
Friday–Sunday, January 21-23
Roar Before the Rolex
The preseason test is open to the public–and if you already have a multi-day Rolex ticket, admission is free. If not, then it’s just $15 for Friday or Sunday, or $20 for Saturday. See the cars without the crowds.
Friday–Sunday, January 21-23
Scout Days
Scouts from across the nation (and their parents) can camp at the track during the Roar. Activities on the schedule include fishing, a pre-race grid walk, Stemwerx activities, driver panels, a track walk and more.
Photography Credit: Chris Tropea
Wednesday, January 26, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Twenty-Four Premier at One Daytona
Get up close to the cars of the Rolex 24 and some of the superstar drivers that pilot them, all for free
Thursday, January 27, 5:30-6:15 p.m.
Mazda MX-5 Cup | Race 1 of 2
If it’s bumper-to-bumper racing you want, it doesn’t get any closer than this one-make series
Thursday, January 27
Rolex 24 At Daytona
Gates open for spectators that morning.
Thursday, January 27, 9 a.m.
Grassroots Motorsports Tent Opens
Our infield tent opens for the weekend.
Thursday, January 27, 7:15 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Night Practice
Watching Thursday’s night practice for the WeatherTech cars has become a bit of a tradition. See the cars on track and at night without having to jockey for a spot on the fence.
Photography Credit: Chris Tropea
Friday, January 28, 10:15 a.m.-11 a.m.
Mazda MX-5 Cup | Race 2 of 2
The second round of the MX-5 cup at Daytona
Friday, January 28, 1:35 p.m.-5:35 p.m.
BMW Endurance Challenge at Daytona
This will be the season-opening race for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.
Photography Credit: Dave Green
Saturday, January 29, 9 a.m.
Grassroots Motorsports Tent Opens
We’ll be here all weekend–right on the shores of Lake Lloyd
Saturday, January 29, 7 a.m.-8:45 a.m.
DIS 5K Run/Walk
Right foot, left foot.
Saturday, January 29, 9:50 a.m.-10:25 a.m.
Rolex 25 Heritage Exhibition
Relive those glory days.
Saturday, January 29, 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
Autograph Session
Get to the UNOH Fanzone early because the lines will be long.
Saturday, January 29, 12 p.m.-1:15 p.m.
Grid Walk
Here’s your last chance to see the cars and crews before the track goes hot. Bring a Sharpie so you can sign the start/finish line. Expect a packed house.
Saturday, January 29, 1:40 p.m.
Green Flag
Go, go, go!
Saturday, January 29, 7 p.m.
GRM Experience Package Dinner
Dinner for GRM Experience Ticket Package holders, located in the big white tent.
Saturday, January 29, 6 p.m.-10 p.m.
Taste of the 24
Food, entertainment and socializing. Tickets also include weekend race access.
Saturday, January 29
Saturday Evening Entertainment
The UNOH Fanzone stage will be jamming all evening with live music as well as karaoke.
Saturday, January 29, 11:50 p.m.
Grassroots Motorsports Midnight Paddock Tour
Our annual paddock tour will depart from our tent.
Photography Credit: Chris Tropea
Sunday, January 30, 1:40 p.m.
Checkered Flag
Good hustle, everyone, good hustle.
Sunday, January 26, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
Grassroots Motorsports Tent Cleanup
Help your pals pack up everything. The post-race traffic means you’re not leaving right away anyway.
IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
Photography Credit: Chris Tropea
Daytona Prototype international (DPi)
Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2)
Le Mans Prototype 3 (LMP3)
GT Daytona Pro (GTD PRO)
GT Daytona (GTD)
IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge
Photography Credit: Dave Green
Grand Sport (GS)
Touring Car (TCR)
Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup
Photography Credit: Courtesy Mazda
Mazda MX-5 Cup Car
The GRM Experience at the Rolex 24 at Daytona is presented by Sunoco and FCP Euro in association with Intercomp, SPEC Clutch, Seraphina Safety Apparel, RacePrime, WireWheel, and McCollister's Auto Transport with help from Christopher John Ltd. and Fields Auto Works.
The Grassroots Motorsports compound will again be located on the western shores of Lake Lloyd. Just look for the giant white circus tent kind of south of the Ferris wheel.
Even if you don’t have one of our special tickets, you’re invited to visit: Hang out, meet the staff, watch the race on TV, and just enjoy our hospitality.
The GRM Experience at the Rolex 24 at Daytona is presented by Sunoco and FCP Euro in association with Intercomp, SPEC Clutch, Seraphina Safety Apparel, RacePrime, WireWheel, and McCollister's Auto Transport with help from Christopher John Ltd. and Fields Auto Works.
I still haven't received my tickets and it's less than a week away. Typically in past years I would have them by now. Can't get through to the track due to heavy call volume. Should I be concerned?
In reply to Feedyurhed :
Sorry to hear that you haven't gotten your tickets yet. I'm going to see what I can do to get you some kind of answer.
In reply to Feedyurhed :
Tickets are electronic this year. Log into your Daytona Speedway account and you can send them to your Apple or Android wallet or print out hard copies. They will be scanned at the gate for a wristband and car pass. Not sure what they are doing about the grassroots "ticket".
This will likely slow things down at the gate s plan accordingly.
Is anybody at the roar? if so can you please provide us with some sites and sounds for those stuck in the winter vortex. I have never been able to take vacations during January for any of my jobs.
They have always mailed me my tickets, and when I renewed, they said nothing about my tickets being any different this year.
trigun7469 said:Is anybody at the roar? if so can you please provide us with some sites and sounds for those stuck in the winter vortex. I have never been able to take vacations during January for any of my jobs.
I'm interested, too.
I see a little bit of coverage on Peacock, but not much.
There's a YouTube page called Lanky Turtle that usually has short videos from Daytona and Sebring. Nothing but sound from the cars, though, so no info on what's happening.
In reply to racerfink :
When I spoke with the ticket office about a month ago, they informed me there will be no paper tickets this year. They said we should get an email notification when the tickets are available to print from online. Well, that was only partially accurate, because my tickets were available to print last week with no email notification.
In reply to racerfink :
Thank you!
Displaying 1-9 of 9 commentsView all comments on the GRM forums
You'll need to log in to post.
